INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS
An IV-line identification system to enable ready identification of an IV line and its associated fluid source and output from other IV lines with their fluid sources and outputs. The IV-line identification system includes an optical member affixed along a longitudinal length of an elongated member that transmits light when a light source provides a light to the optical member.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/564,587, filed Dec. 29, 2021 and titled ““INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/191,674, filed Mar. 3, 2021 and titled “INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/909,111, filed Jun. 23, 2020 and titled “INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/548,067, filed Aug. 22, 2019 and titled “INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS,” now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,722,641, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/053,495, filed Aug. 2, 2018 and titled “INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS,” now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,589,019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/902,682, filed Feb. 22, 2018 and titled “INFUSION LINE SYSTEMS,” now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,064,991, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/618,799, filed Jun. 9, 2017 and titled “ILLUMINATED INFUSION LINE AND SYSTEMS,” which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/354,617, filed Jun. 24, 2016 and titled “ILLUMINATED INFUSION LINE AND SYSTEMS,” each of the foregoing of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND 1. The Field of the InventionThe present disclosure generally relates to systems for the intravenous administration of medications, fluids, and/or nutrients. More particularly, the disclosure relates to systems and devices for distinctly identifying each of several intravenous lines used to intravenously administer medications, fluids, and/or nutrients.
2. The Relevant TechnologyIn a hospital setting, patients are often administered liquid medications, fluids, and nutrients (hereinafter collectively referred to as “therapeutic fluids”) via intravenous lines (hereinafter referred to as “IV lines”). IV lines generally consist of flexible, plastic tubing connected at one end to a fluid source and at another end to a needle or port that provides access to a blood vessel/artery of a patient. It is not uncommon for multiple IV lines, each connected to a different source of fluid, to be used simultaneously to deliver several therapeutic fluids at once to a single patient. It is also not uncommon for the needles or ports to be located adjacent to one another, such as multiple adjacent needles providing access into the brachial vein running through the arm of the patient.
While the simultaneous use of multiple IV lines can provide numerous benefits, some challenges can also be encountered. For instance, when multiple IV lines are used to administer multiple therapeutic fluids to a single patient, it can become cumbersome and difficult to readily identify one IV line from another. Thus, it can be difficult to quickly and accurately identify a particular therapeutic fluid source and corresponding therapeutic fluid output compared to another medication source and its corresponding therapeutic fluid output. This problem is aggravated by the tendency of each of the intravenous lines to coil up to their packaged configuration and consequently tangle with other IV lines or tangle under bed sheets or clothing.
Quick identification of a particular therapeutic fluid source is often required in emergency situations. For example, when a patient hooked up to multiple IV lines is in need of emergency intravenous administration of a therapeutic fluid not currently being provided through one of the IV lines, it is necessary to immediately provide that therapeutic fluid. If a blood vessel cannot rapidly be located into which the therapeutic fluid can be injected, it is common practice to provide the drug through an IV line in which a therapeutic fluid is already being administered. This practice of using existing IV lines to administer new therapeutic fluids is also common in non-emergency situations. The person administering the drug, however, must be sure that the IV line through which the new therapeutic fluid is administered is carrying a therapeutic fluid which is compatible with the new therapeutic fluid. Severe results may occur if a new therapeutic fluid is injected through an IV line in which the therapeutic fluid already flowing therethrough is not compatible with the new therapeutic fluid. For example, if heparin is injected into an IV line through which lidocaine is already flowing, a flakey precipitate will form in the mixture which can be dangerous to a patient. Similarly, mixing insulin with certain chemotherapy drugs in a common IV line can be extremely dangerous for a patient.
As a result of the difficulties in distinguishing between multiple IV lines and their associated fluid sources and outputs and the potentially life-threatening possibilities that can occur if incompatible therapeutic fluids are injected through the same IV line, there is a need for devices and systems that allow for ready and accurate identification of individual IV lines with their associated fluid sources and outputs.
BRIEF SUMMARYIn an embodiment, an intravenous infusion line assembly includes an elongated member and an optical member. The elongated member has a fluid conduit for administering therapeutic fluid to a patient by providing fluid communication between a first end of the elongated member and a second end of the elongated member. The optical member is affixed along a longitudinal length of the elongated member between the first end and the second end of the elongated member. The optical member is also at least partially optically transmissive to internally reflect light within the optical member.
In another embodiment, an intravenous infusion line identification system includes an intravenous therapy system for administering therapeutic fluid to a patient and a light source. The intravenous therapy system includes a therapeutic fluid input and a therapeutic fluid output with an elongated member and optical member. The elongated member provides fluid communication from the therapeutic fluid input to the therapeutic fluid output. The optical member is affixed along a longitudinal length of the elongated member. The optical member is also at least partially optically transmissive to internally reflect light within the optical member. In some configurations, the optical member is affixed along the longitudinal length of the elongated member by a direct bond, an adhesive, or a partial melting between the optical member and the elongated member. The light source is selectively couplable to the optical member and configured to provide light to the optical member.
In yet another embodiment, a method for implementing an IV-line identification system includes an act of providing an infusion line that includes an optical member affixed along a longitudinal length of the infusion line, selectively coupling a light source to the optical member, and directing a light from the light source into the optical member. In some implementations, the optical member is at least partially optically transmissive to internally reflect light within the optical member.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The embodiments described herein extend to methods, devices, systems, assemblies, and apparatus for identification of intravenous (“IV”) infusion lines. Such are configured to, for example, enable the reliable identification of one IV infusion line from another in a simple and efficient manner to prevent the inadvertent injection of incompatible therapeutic fluids through a single IV infusion line. An IV infusion line identification system, as described herein, may reduce the number of misidentified infusion lines without significant changes to the existing clinical methods and/or equipment.
Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such exemplary embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are any particular elements to be considered essential for all embodiments or that elements be assembled or manufactured in any particular order or manner. No inference should therefore be drawn from the drawings as to the necessity of any element. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well known aspects of IV lines and related devices and methods, general manufacturing techniques, and the like are not described in detail herein in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the novel aspects of the present invention.
Furthermore, while embodiments of IV therapy systems are shown and described, it will be understood that these are merely exemplary embodiments. Various components of these exemplary embodiments may be excluded or replaced with other components known and used in the art. By way of non-limiting example, some of the exemplary embodiments include IV bags, pumps, and connectors. Each of these components could be eliminated or replaced with other components. For instance, various types of pumps, or no pump at all, can be used with the systems. Similarly, various types of fluid sources and connectors other than IV bags and Y-connectors could be employed.
With reference to
In some embodiments, the elongated member 102 may have a therapeutic fluid input 106 and a therapeutic fluid output 108. The therapeutic fluid input 106 may allow the elongated member to connect to a reservoir of therapeutic fluid, such as an IV bag, a glass bottle, a plastic bottle, a syringe, or other sterile reservoir. At an opposing end of the elongated member 102 is a therapeutic fluid output 108. The therapeutic fluid output is configured to connect the elongated member 102 to an access device (not shown), such as a needle or port, so that the elongated member 102 can provide fluid communication to a patient.
The optical member 104 has a first end 110 and a second end 112. In some embodiments, the first end 110 is located proximate the therapeutic fluid input 106 of the elongated member 102 and the second end 112 is located proximate the therapeutic fluid output 108 of the elongated member 102. At least a portion of the elongated member 102 and optical member 104 are fixed relative to one another. The elongated member 102 and optical member 104 are flexible, such that the optical member 104 and elongated member 102 may move as one or the other is moved. In some embodiments, the entire length of the optical member 104 is fixed to the elongated member 102. In other embodiments, a portion less than the entire length of the optical member 104 is fixed to the elongated member 102. In some embodiments, the first end 110 of the optical member 104 is fixed to the elongated member 102 and the second end 112 is fixed to the elongated member 102.
The optical member 104 may be optically transmissive to allow light to pass through and/or be transmitted by the optical member 104. In some embodiments, the optical member 104 may have a transmission percentage in visible wavelengths in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or any values therebetween. For example, the optical member 104 may have a transmission percentage in visible wavelengths greater than 40%. In other examples, the optical member 104 may have a transmission percentage in visible wavelength less than 95%. In yet other examples, the optical member 104 may have a transmission percentage between 40% and 95%. In further examples, the optical member 104 may have a transmission percentage between 50% and 90%.
In some embodiments, the optical member 104 may be a fiber optic cable. For example, at least a portion of a light that is provided at the first end 110 of the optical member 104 may be conveyed to the second end 112 of the optical member 104. The light may be conveyed from the first end 110 to the second end 112 via internal refraction. For example, the optical member 104 may have a first index of refraction and the surrounding environment, such as air, may have a second index of refraction that is less than the first index of refraction. The light may propagate along the inside of the optical member 104 in a longitudinal direction refracting off of the surface of the optical member 104 at an angle less than a critical angle, at least partially dependent on the relationship of the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction. In some embodiments, the optical member 104 may have an index of refraction greater than 1.5. In other embodiments, the optical member 104 may have an index of refraction greater than 1.8. In yet other embodiments, the optical member 104 may have an index of refraction greater than 2.0.
In some embodiments, the optical member 104 may be configured to convey at least a portion of the light in a longitudinal direction (i.e., from the first end 110 to the second end 112 or vice versa). The optical member 104 is configured to emit at least some of the light in a transverse direction (i.e. in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction) and between the first end 110 and the second end 112. For example, when a light is provided at the first end 110 of the optical member 104, at least 10% of the light is emitted transversely along the length of the optical member 104. In other examples, when a light is provided at the first end 110 of the optical member 104, at least 20% of the light is emitted transversely along the length of the optical member 104. In yet other examples, when a light is provided at the first end 110 of the optical member 104, at least 30% of the light is emitted transversely along the length of the optical member 104. In at least one example, when a light is provided at the first end 110 of the optical member 104, at least 50% of the light is emitted transversely along the length of the optical member 104.
In some embodiments, the optical member 104 may be uniform along a length thereof. In other embodiments the optical member 104, as shown in
In some embodiments, the optical member 104 may be at least partially affixed to the outer surface 114 of the elongated member 102. For example, the optical member 104 may be affixed to the outer surface 114 of the elongated member 102 with a plurality of fasteners or clamps. In other examples, the optical member 104 may be adhered to the outer surface 114 with an adhesive positioned therebetween. In yet other examples, the optical member 104 may be directly bonded to the elongated member 102, such as by partially melting of the optical member 104 and/or elongated member 102 to bond the material of the optical member 104 and elongated member 102. The optical member 104 and elongated member 102 may be bonded together by sonic welding, by frictional welding, by application of heat from an external source, or by other partial melting methods. Embodiments may include any combination of said or other means for at least partially affixing the optical member 104 to the outer surface 114 of the elongated member 102.
The rigid clamps 130 include a first opening 131 and a second opening 132, each adapted to receiving the optical member 104 and the elongated member 102. The rigid clamps 130 have a first groove 140 adapted to removably secure the optical member 104. The rigid clamps 130 also have a second groove 141 and a third groove 142, which are adapted to, in tandem, removably secure the elongated member 102. For example, a user may loop the optical member 104 and elongated member 102 through the respective openings 131 and 132, may position the optical member 104 within the first groove 140, and may position the elongated member 102 within the second groove 141 and third groove 142.
In one of arrangement, the rigid clamps 130 are spaced about six to eight inches apart along the length of the IV infusion line assembly 100. Although six to eight inch spacing is the presently preferred configuration, other configurations may include tighter spacing (e.g., a half inch of space between the rigid clamps 130 along the length of the IV infusion line assembly 100), looser spacing (e.g., fourteen inches of space between the rigid clamps 130 along the length of the IV infusion line assembly 100), a non-uniform spacing arrangement (e.g., with variable spacing between the rigid clamps 130 along the length of the IV infusion line assembly 100), etcetera.
In some embodiments, the connection between the elongated member 102 and the optical member 104 may be breakable by a user. For example, at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the connection between the elongated member 102 and optical member 104 may be broken (e.g., the elongated member 102 and optical member 104 may be pulled apart from one another) to allow the use of inline filters, rotary pumps, or for connection of other devices, as needed by a user.
For example,
The light source 222 may be selectively coupled to the optical member 204 to provide a light to the optical member 204. The light source 222 may include an outboard power supply, such as a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery, allowing the light source 222 to be carried with a user. In other embodiments, the light source 222 may have one or more connectors to allow the light source 222 to be connected to an external power source. The light source 222 may provide light to the first end 210 of the optical member 204 to illuminate the optical member 204 along a longitudinal length of the optical member 204. In other embodiments, the light source 222 may provide light to the second end (e.g., the second end 112 as shown in
In some embodiments, the light source 222 may be activated by a user-operated manual switch, such as the illustrated push button 240. Although the user operable manual switch is a presently preferred embodiment, other embodiments may include systems for automatically activating the light source 222 upon coupling the optical member 204 to the light source 222, as described below with respect to
The sensor 228 may be a physical sensor, such as a switch, toggle, or button that senses the optical member 204 via mechanical contact with the optical member 204. In other embodiments, the sensor 228 may be an optical sensor, such an infrared sensor, UV sensor, laser sensor, or other sensor that senses the optical member 204 via interference between the optical member 204 and an emitted signal.
In the illustrated embodiment, the clips 761, 762, and 763 are arranged so as to be spread across a sufficient length of the light source 722 to provide a connection when the light source 722 is coupled to the elongated member 702. For example, the distance between the first clip 761 and third clip 763 may be about 50% to about 80% of the overall length of the light source 722.
As with other embodiments described herein, the light source, as a first light component, may be positioned near a first end the elongated member 702 (e.g., near the fluid input) and an optical member (not shown in this view), as a second light component, may extend and be positioned near a second end of the elongated member 702 (e.g., near the fluid output). The first and second light components are operatively coupled to one another such that when the first light component is activated to generate a light signal at the first end of the elongated member 702, a corresponding light signal will be generated at the second end of the elongated member 702 by way of the second light component.
In the depicted embodiment, the sensor 328 is depressed by the elongated member 302 when a force is applied to the elongated member 302 by a clip 334 of the light source 322. The clip 334 may be movably connected to the light source 322 about a hinged connection 336. The hinged connection 336 may be biased to close the clip 334 and/or hold the clip 334 closed against the light source 322. The bias of the hinged connection 336 may apply a sufficient force through the clip 334 to compress the elongated member 302 against the sensor 328. The bias of the hinged connection 336 may apply a sufficient force through the clip 334 to retain the light source 322 on the elongated member 302 when a user releases the light source 322. In other words, the user may clip the light source 322 onto the elongated member 302 and the light source 322 may hang in place on the elongate member 302 without the user continuing to support the light source 322.
As described herein, the optical member and the elongated member may selectively separable to allow a user to detach at least a portion of the optical member from the elongated member.
At least some of the embodiments of an IV infusion line described herein allow a user to illuminate the IV infusion line using a light source to identify a length of the IV infusion line in a clinical environment. The IV infusion line may be disposable, elongated member and optical member included, and used with conventional adapters and equipment.
The first and second light sources 822 and 823 may be operatively and communicatively coupled via a wireless connection/link. For example, the first and second light sources 822 and 823 may be paired using a Bluetooth wireless link, Wi-Fi, or other suitable wireless communication protocol.
In use, a first light component (in the form of the first light source 822) is positioned near the first end 806 of the elongated member 802 and a second light component (in the form of the second light source 823) is positioned near the second end 808 of the elongated member 802. The first and second light components are operatively coupled to one another (e.g., via a wireless communication link) so that when either is activated, the other is likewise activated. In this manner, a user can activate the first light source 822 or the second light source 823, and the other light source will also automatically be activated, providing a visual indication confirming that each of ends 806 and 808 belong to the same elongated member 802. As stated above, this visual indication can prevent infusion line misidentification and associated accidents and patient risks. For example, a caretaker can quickly and easily use the system to identify which infusion line and/or medicine is attached to which patient vein, and can thereby identify the correct setup quickly and safely.
As shown in
Upon activation, the pump assembly 842 may display a visual indicator indicating that the device has been activated. For example, a light 824a can turn on to indicate activation of the device. In some embodiments, the light 824a is separate from the controller 840a. In other embodiments, the light 824a may be included in the controller 840a itself. For example, the controller 840a may be a pushbutton that lights up when activated and turns off when pressed again.
Upon activation of the pump assembly 842, corresponding visual indicators (e.g., light 824b as shown in
As shown, the pump assembly 842 may also include one or more stations 850 configured to receive light sources 822 and/or 823. The stations 850 may be configured as charging ports for charging the internal battery/batteries of the light sources 822 and/or 823 when they are plugged in or otherwise attached. The pump assembly 842 may itself be powered by wired connection to a wall outlet and/or may include its own internal battery.
In some embodiments, the pump assembly 842 includes a speaker 854 capable of providing an audible alarm. For example, when a low battery condition is detected in any of the linked light sources, the speaker 854 can be triggered to provide an audible alarm notifying nearby users of the need to replace or otherwise attend to the components. The alarm may additionally or alternatively include other indicators, such as flashing lights at one or more of the pump assembly 842 or the light sources 822, 823, the sending of an error message to other associated devices, etcetera. Either or both of the light sources 822, 823 may include a speaker, either in addition to or as an alternative to the speaker 854 of the pump assembly 842. However, a typical embodiment will omit speakers at the light sources 822, 823.
In some embodiments, two or more components of the infusion line system 800 are provided together as a kit. For example, the two light sources 822 and 823 may be packaged together as a pair. Preferably, the wireless pairing/linking of the two associated light sources will be established prior to packaging, so that the components are ready to use immediately after opening. Pairing/linking prior to packaging can also reduce the risk of error during use, since it will not be necessary for the user to manually pair one or more pairs of lights during installation on corresponding infusion lines. In some embodiments, a kit includes a pair of light sources and the pump assembly 842. Again, it is preferable that these components be wirelessly paired/linked prior to packaging so that the components are more readily used and risks associated with incorrect installation or pairing are reduced. Any of such kits are also preferably sterilized using a suitable sterilization process known in the art, such as a cold sterilization process typically used to sterilize pumps and infusion lines.
As with the optional pump assembly 824, the light source 822 includes a visual indicator in the form of a light 824b and a corresponding controller 840b (also synonymously referred to herein as a “manual switch”). When the controller 840b is actuated, the light 824b is activated, and the corresponding visual indicators of the other communicatively linked light sources (and pump assembly 842 where applicable) are also automatically activated. As described in reference to the pump assembly 842, the light 842b and controller 840b may be separate features, as shown, or may alternatively be combined into one manually activatable component such as a pushbutton that lights up upon actuation.
Presently preferred embodiments also include a battery protector 852 configured to prevent accidental activation of the device and/or draining of the battery prior to intended use. The battery protector 852 may be a thin paper, film, or other such structure that partially extends into the light source 822 to break the internal electrical circuit and prevent activation during shipping and storage of the device. For example, the battery protector 852 typically extends across a surface of a battery between the battery and the terminal connector.
A portion of the battery protector 852 (the portion visible in
Certain embodiments may be configured so that the visual indicators activate automatically upon initiation. Additionally, or alternatively, activation and deactivation may be selectively controlled through actuation of the controllers 840a, 840b, as described by the foregoing.
In some embodiments, the visual indicators of each set of communicatively linked components have corresponding features to distinguish from other sets of communicatively linked components. For example, one pair of linked light sources may have a first color of light when activated while another pair of linked light sources may have a second, different color of light when activated.
Although the foregoing embodiment has been described with reference to two light sources, it will be understood that other light sources may additionally be included as well. For example, some embodiments may include a series of communicatively linked light sources spanning the length of the elongated member 802, such as one or more light sources positioned at intermediate positions between the ends of the elongated member 802.
The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.
A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within 95% of, within 99% of, within 99.9% of, or within 99.99% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.
Elements described in relation to any embodiment depicted and/or described herein may be substituted for or combined with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein. For example, any of the components or features described in relation to the light source 722 of
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. An intravenous (IV) infusion line assembly, comprising:
- an elongated member having a fluid conduit for administering therapeutic fluid to a patient, the fluid conduit configured to provide fluid communication between a first end of the elongated member and a second end of the elongated member; and
- an optical member disposed along a longitudinal length of the elongated member, wherein the optical member is at least partially optically transmissive to light passed within the optical member,
- wherein the optical member and the elongated member are affixed to one another by a bond formed by partial melting of the elongated member, the optical member, or both,
- wherein the optical member is affixed along an outer surface or an interior surface of the longitudinal length of the elongated member.
2. The IV infusion line assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical member is affixed to the elongated member without clips or clamps.
3. The IV infusion line assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical member is configured to transmit light through a sidewall of the optical member.
4. The IV infusion line assembly of claim 1, the optical member including one or more diffraction optical elements (DOEs) thereon, the one or more DOEs being configured to in-couple a light into the optical member.
5. The IV infusion line assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical member and the elongated member are additionally affixed to one another with one or more clips or clamps.
6. An IV-line identification system, the IV-line identification system comprising:
- the IV infusion line assembly of claim 1; and
- a light source selectively couplable to the optical member and configured to provide light to the optical member.
7. The IV-line identification system of claim 6, wherein the light source is selectively attachable to the elongated member.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2023
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2023
Patent Grant number: 11992648
Inventors: Wayne A. PROVOST (St. George, UT), Jeffrey D. STEWART (Washington, UT)
Application Number: 18/120,935